A foreign citizen can apply to a Russian Consulate with the intention to work as a highly skilled specialist.

The application form is filled in the Russian language either legibly handwritten or printed. The information about the applicant will then be placed on the website of the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation (www.fms.gov.ru/useful/patent/index_eng.php).

The following information should be provided in the application:

• passport data in Russian and in Latin letters (as in passport);
• information confirming the experience of the foreign citizen, his/her skills or achievements in a specific field;
• application should contain information on recommendations if any, confirming expert knowledge and qualification;
• consent to include the information provided by the applicant in the data base within the state system of recording migration as well as consent to forward these personal details to employers and sponsors on the territory of the Russian Federation that has to be confirmed by signature.

All names should be written in full, without abbreviations and corrections.

There is no charge collected for the application.

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A business visa for the foreign citizen is then granted on the basis of an invitation to enter the Russian Federation to hold relevant talks, provided for the foreign citizen by an employer or a sponsor.

The invitation made on the letterhead of the legal person that is the employer or the sponsor shall include the following information in Russian:

a) the job vacancy that the highly skilled migrant is invited to fill as well as conditions of labour and social support;

b) on the person invited:

• first name, family name in Russian and Latin letters as in passport, as well as the date of birth, sex, citizenship, passport number.

c) on the inviting side:

• full name of the legal entity being the employer or contractor;
• legal or actual address of the legal entity;
• taxpayer number and Tax Registration Reason Code;
• primary state registration number (PSRN).

For branches (representative offices) of foreign companies in the Russian Federation, information about their registration in the country of incorporation should be provided.

d) expected date of entry into the Russian Federation and itinerary of travel.

The proposition has to be signed by the director or his deputy and certified by the seal of the legal entity.

The migrant should present a bank statement in no longer than one month which has a current balance of a minimum of 6000 Euros.

Upon arrival in Russia and signing of contract, the highly skilled migrant is issued a new multiple entry work visa.

Visas for members of the family of a highly skilled migrant are issued in accordance with the existing procedure based on the original visa support letter issued by a Federal Migration Service branch.

In case the employment agreement or civil law contract is not concluded, the migrant has to leave the Russian Federation before the date of expiry of his business visa.